This small (3-5 ft tall) mound-shaped shrub forms a thicket of erect stems that eventually bloom into clusters of pink to purple steeple-shaped flowers. These flowers create an abundance of pollen and nectar, attracting pollinators such as bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies such as the endangered Karner Blue. This shrub is also an important larval host for numerous species of butterflies and moths. It is rarely browsed by deer due to its bitterness. To encourage additional blooms, faded flowers can be removed. Steeplebush is best planted in a location where it has room to grow, or else maintenance is required to control its suckering roots. But because of its ability to sucker, this shrub is useful for erosion control or restoration.